Neutron Diffraction Studies on a Non-Coupled Giant Magnetoresistance System, Co/Cu/NiFe/Cu Multilayer

Abstract

By polarized neutron diffraction, a long range antiparallel alignment of Co and NiFe(permalloy) layer magnetizations is confirmed in a non-coupled Co(10, Å)/Cu(36, Å)/NiFe(10, Å)/Cu(36, Å) giant magnetoresistance system. A general relationship between the magnetoresistance and the magnetization vectors of the Co and NiFe layers under various magnetic fields and temperatures is experimentally derived. The observed large temperature change in the magnetoresistance ratio is understood with this relationship.